Talk to me about steam generator irons

[thejoysofboys]

Our iron has gone pop this morning (it's been on it's last legs for a while). We're a family of 4 and I do iron pretty much everything (apart from undies and towels ).

Should I be just replacing a the iron with a standard model or are steam generator irons the way to go? Anyone got any recommendations?

I tend to try and iron in a couple of long sessions per week but we do have the manic days where I have to iron something to wear on a one-off basis in a morning. We also live in a VERY hard water area, if that has any bearing...

I have had two steam generators and despite light use, they have both gone kaput on me. I think both got blocked in the steam pipe. We have soft water. They are good. Very noisy and you can click the switch for continuous steam rather than pumping it.
I have just bought a normal iron which I prefer.

My team generator iron went wrong after 6 months, took it back and now have gone back to a normal iron and that's what I will stick to in the future. Also they are quite big to store somewhere

I am now on my third steam generator iron and would never go back. First was a cheapo Morphy Richards bought at Ideal Home Exhibition in about 1998. Next was a tefal which lasted about 6 years and the one now is a Tefal.

They are big and expensive but if it broke we'd live on beans to buy a new one. Do you know someone who has one who would let you try theirs. Mine has been used by 5 friends who all went on to buy one. I loathe ironing and it's the only thing that makes it bearable

I've got a cheap one which is OK (but wish I'd gone for a more expensive model you can refill whilst ironing) it does make ironing better. I even iron sheets and duvets now which I never did before - though I had to buy a new ironing board as well to fit everything.

I use a mixture of ironing water/de-ionised water from halfords to prolong the life of the iron.

I love mine and so does MIL and ironing is her hobby! We got ours in the range as they had them half price at £50.

I got a Bosch one half price from argos a few years ago and it is still going strong. I wish I had got one with a bigger tank as I sometimes have to top it up. It is great especially for things like shirts.